From street food to fine-dining, the actor reveals her favourites

Sonam Kapoor has just finished her daily yoga session; she’s now making plans to watch a performance at Lower Parel’s Canvas Laugh Factory comedy club and go out for dinner afterwards. Ask her what she would like to eat or what her favourite restaurants are and you’ve really let the cat out of the bag. “I am an absolute foodie,” she squeals. “I love eating junk food, and the stuff you get in Bombay is simply delicious! You must have vada pav when you’re here.” “I don’t want to hear this,” her personal trainer mutters, before dashing out of the room. Kapoor laughs, then lapses into a monologue: “I love street food, fine dining and everything in between. It’s great that restaurants such as Le Cirque have come to Bombay, but this city already has some amazing places such as Ellipsis and Hakkasan. And Bombay has the best seafood in the country—fish, lobster and crab. I’m obsessed with crab.” Kapoor prides herself on knowing the sort of restaurants that only locals frequent. “Although I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain, I was disappointed with his Bombay episode. I would have been a better guide.” After listening to her list of Mumbai recommendations, I can’t help but agree.

“I used to work as an art assistant for Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” says Kapoor. “I went to all kinds of places across the city to source for his films—from the Oshiwara old furniture market and the lane in Crawford Market where they sell lace to Zaveri Bazaar, where you get amazing ornaments. As a result, I’ve come to know this city and its culinary treats really well. I used to love going to Mohammed Ali Road, especially during Ramzan, and hogging on everything from kebabs to kaleeja.” Unfortunately, the price of stardom has meant that Kapoor can’t venture into those parts anymore. “I hate it,” she says, exasperatedly. “But if you’re in Bombay, you have to try the street food. It’s essential to the city experience.” Kapoor follows this up by rattling off the places to visit and the dishes to try there:

Elco Pani Puri Centre Mumbai’s chaat culture reflects the diversity of the city’s residents. Bhel puri came from the Gujaratis, pani puri from Bihar and dahi papri chaat from Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai has given all of these a twist and made them its own. Nowadays, everyone comes to Elco, on Hill Road in Bandra, to try these (and other) quintessential Mumbai chaat dishes. It’s a great place to get your taste buds tingling and to people-watch. The other place to explore is Juhu beach, which has a string of stalls to choose from. (+91-22-26437206)

Amar Juice Centre “Nothing beats the pav bhaji at this place,” Kapoor enthuses. Suburban partygoers gather at this roadside stall in Vile Parle to satisfy their midnight hunger pangs. Amar serves five types of pav bhaji, as well as a range of sandwiches, dosas, fresh juices and milkshakes. (+91-22-26247917)

Mani Dosa Kapoor lists this tiny stall as an ‘essential’ Mumbai experience. Standing on the street or sitting in their cars, residents of Khar tear into Mani’s home-style (fluffy or crisp—whichever you’d prefer) dosas and slurp down bowls of spicy sambar and coconut chutney. (16th Road, Khar West)

Haji Ali Juice Centre On the shore overlooking the Haji Ali dargah, this South Mumbai landmark is where locals go for the freshest of juices, made with seasonal fruit. However, Kapoor particularly recommends the stall’s sliced fruit served with fresh cream, and its faloodas. “They are simply outstanding.” (+91-22-23510957)

Brijwasi Sweets This traditional halwai’s shop, right beside the ancient Babulnath Temple and just off Marine Drive, makes and sells lactose sweetmeats. Kapoor picks this place for ‘the best masala milk you’ll taste in your life’. “Every time I’m in this part of the city, I try and pick up a glass of it,” she says. (+91-22-23673221)

Bachelorr’s With a caricature of a chef peeping over its name on the logo, this snack-house on Girgaum Chowpatty takes its softies more seriously than its food. Bachelorr’s serves several unique ice creams and frozen yoghurts in flavours such as ginger, orange blossom and kiwi. (+91-22-23682211)

Bademiya This establishment has existed on a side street, in the shadow of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel since 1946. It started as a tiny kebab stall but has now expanded to occupy the abandoned building across the street (and even has a brand-new outlet in nearby Horniman Circle). Ignore the crowds, the noise, the smoke from the open barbecue grills and the lack of air-conditioning, and pick from the signature mutton seekh kebabs, bhuna gosht and baida rotis. “This is the perfect spot to come for food when you’ve been out partying,” says Kapoor. (+91-22-22021447)

Noor Mohammadi “As Indians, we are used to eating the brain, liver, kidneys, legs, hoof and intestines. And in the Mohammed Ali Road area, you’ll find restaurants that serve dishes made from all these,” reveals Kapoor. Noor Mohammadi, right on the main thoroughfare, is one of the best. Try their nalli nihari and tangdi kebab, washed down with a scoop of dal ghee. This is not a meal for the weak-hearted. (+91-22-23456008)

“You can’t go to a fine-dining place every day. Sometimes, you want to go to a more simple spot and chill,” says Kapoor. “For me, the food is as important as the ambience.” The following places make her soul-food cut:

GajaleeGajalee’s tagline may insist it’s ‘more than just a seafood restaurant’, but fans such as Kapoor will emphatically disagree. Of the five branches that extend across the length of the city, she picks the one in Juhu. “It’s one of my favourite restaurants; I go there at least once every 10 days,” she says. “Order a cold beer along with the tandoori crab (which you can pick from a live selection), the fried bombil (Bombay duck) with green, spicy chutney, the butter-garlic lobster and the clams in a green curry with neer dosa.” Together, these dishes make for an amazing meal.

Swati Snacks “Bombay has some great Gujarati restaurants. Swati may be a bit touristy, but it’s my go-to place when I want to eat fun food,” says Kapoor. “The chaat, the pizza they serve… Everything is vegetarian and Gujju-fied, and I love it.” Those dishes apart, the signature treats at this Tardeo establishment include the baked masala khichdi, fada ni khichdi served with curd, and the suva panki. If you plan to visit, note that they don’t take reservations.

Arya Bhavan “When Dhanush came to Bombay and was really craving South Indian cooking, I took him here. He said it was the closest he had eaten in the city to what he has back home.” Kapoor cites her Raanjhanaa co-star’s endorsement to put this Matunga Tamil joint on the list. It’s a no-frills place, with the focus on delivering high-quality South Indian fast food—dosas, idlis, uttapams and more. Besides Kapoor and Dhanush, the owners count Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sridevi and Kajol among their fans. (+91-22-24159449)

The Bombay Presidency Radio Club “Bombay’s old clubs and gymkhanas are such an integral part of its cultural history. Radio Club in Colaba is one of them,” declares Kapoor. You have to know a member to enter, but once you’re in, the old-school service and atmosphere will charm you. Radio Club is famous for its Indian-Chinese; try its gin chicken and potato KPK.

THE CHIC FOOD SCENE Increasingly, Mumbai has a number of standalones that aim to deliver an international food experience at affordable prices. Kapoor says, “Due to the number of expats in the city and the number of people who have lived abroad and returned, we now have all these cool, secret places that serve amazing food.” Here are her picks:

The Yoga House Kapoor picks this yoga studio and café, once located in an old East Indian home in Bandra’s Chimbai Village (it has now moved near Rizvi College), for its ‘amazingly healthy food’. The owners of The Yoga House are trained yoga practitioners, and the dishes they serve combine ancient dietary wisdom with macrobiotic recipes. So expect detoxifying health foods such as quinoa burgers, oat and jaggery porridge cooked in buffalo milk, and kada chai (black pepper, clove, ginger, lemon grass and honey).

Café Zoe “I love their breakfast and the atmosphere is beautiful,” Kapoor says of Café Zoe. Housed in a renovated warehouse in Lower Parel, this café, brasserie and bar has exposed brick walls, cast-iron pillars and frosted-glass windows. The menu serves comfort food with a gourmet twist, including pork sliders. “I particularly like their scrambled egg on toast with truffle,” remarks Kapoor. “It’s delicious.”

The Pantry With its whitewashed walls lined with bric-a-brac, vintage metal chairs and lace curtains, this South Mumbai restaurant in the historic Kala Ghoda area spells Parisian chic. While sipping her second cup of mushroom soup, Kapoor exclaims, “I picked this place to shoot because it is nice and intimate. The quiche is good, and the breakfast is excellent.” (+91-22-22700082)

THE FINE-DINING SCENE

If you want to make eating out a memorable event, these are Kapoor’s restaurant recommendations (for its old-world charm and service, her perfect place to ‘pop the question’ is The Zodiac Grill at The Taj Mahal Palace):

The Table The Table is probably the only restaurant in Mumbai that sources seasonal vegetables from its own farm in Alibag. It also works with a local urban-farming initiative to source organic produce for its kitchen.

Hakkasan MumbaiThe Mumbai outpost of this international Asian food stalwart serves many of the dishes that have made it a hit elsewhere in the world, along with an extensive list of vegetarian options. “They have a really good wine menu,” says Kapoor. “As I’m very partial to wine, I love dining here.” Her favourite dishes at Hakkasan Mumbaiinclude the crispy-duck salad with pomelo, pine nuts and shallots, fried quail, and the soft-shell crab flavoured with almonds, chilli and curry leaves.

Pali Bhavan For those looking for an Indian fine-dining restaurant, Kapoor picks this Bandra establishment. It’s decorated in dark tones, muted lighting, plenty of old, fading images, mounted deer heads, porcelain plates and other quirky decorations sourced from local markets such as Chor Bazaar. “The food is great, and I love the way the place is done up,” she says. (+91-22-26519400)

THE DECADENT DESSERT SCENE For sweet endings to your Mumbai culinary adventure, Kapoor suggests you visit Le15 Pâtisserie.The brainchild of Le Cordon Bleu-trained pâtissier, Pooja Dhingra, this brand has outlets in Elphinstone West, Lower Parel, Bandra (West) and Oshiwara. It sells cakes, macaroons and tarts, which can also be delivered to your doorstep. “The cupcakes from here make my day every time,” exclaims Kapoor.

(Post updated on 24 February 2016)

Watch our behind-the-scenes video with Sonam Kapoor as she talks about her favourite food spots in Mumbai

A photo posted by Shirley (@shirleysetia) on Dec 19, 2015 at 11:00pm PST

Day 1: Friday

Morning: They say if you really want to know a place you must do as the locals do. So wake up really early and head straight to A 1 Bakery for an early morning fix of freshly baked bread. If you don’t have the stomach for carbs at 5am, then head to Bandra Bandstand. Walk all the way down the promenade to catch the sunrise at Bandra Fort overlooking the Sea Link(pictured) for the best view in the house. Contd...

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Friday

Morning: Take a detour to Mount Mary Basilica (pictured) to offer a quick prayer, before heading back to the Walk of Stars on Bandstand. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of your favourite Bollywood star out for a jog. Contd...

Day 1: Friday

Morning: Stop over at the American Express Bakery on Hill Road known for their sweet, creamy, yummy treats. Pack some goodies (we recommend the spinach and mushroom quiche) and explore Hill Road’s by lanes. You will find old Portuguese houses, huge crosses, and statues of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ alongside colourful graffiti. You will also stumble upon a few sleepy cats and equally sleepy locals in no particular rush to be anywhere. You can also opt for an organised tour of the area with Insider.in, BlueBulb or Bombay Heritage Walks.

Day 1: Friday

Afternoon: Grab lunch at Jai Hind(pictured) on Pali Hill—known for its seafood, this hole-in-the-wall joint is your instant introduction to Malvani, Mangalorean, Konkani and Goan food. Order a glass of solkadi to aid your digestion while you devour endless portions of crabs, lobsters, surmais, bangdas, pomfrets… and of course, Bombay Duck! While you’re there, do check out The Shop next door for cotton kurtis and palazzo pants. They also stock unusual home décor items that make for great gifts.

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Day 1: Friday

Evening: Start your evening with a cup of tea (or three) at Taj Mahal Teahouse(pictured) on St John Baptist Road near Bandra Reclamation. From Parsi mint tea to strong and milky Rajasthan special, this is heaven for tea lovers. Once done, walk down to Hill Road to scourge the streets for bargains on clothes and unusual trinkets. Contd...

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Day 1: Friday

Make a quick stop at Elco(pictured) if you’re feeling peckish for a plate of Bombay-style panipuri. If that doesn’t cut it, head to Jai Jawan for the “Punjabi style” fried fish, mutton kebabs and tikkas.

Day 1: Friday

Night: After spending the day walking the streets and bylanes of Bandra, get ready to party. Start your night with a glass of wine at Pali Village Café. Head over to Fatty Bao for dinner before hitting the packed dance floor of Monkey Bar(pictured) right next door. And if you think that the night will end at the 1.30am curfew, you are highly mistaken as the party moves to the Goodwife and China1 Club in BKC. Pro-tip: carry comfortable shoes.

Day 2: Saturday

Morning: Book yourself for a session at the Yoga House (pictured) or a Kalaripayattu lesson with Vipin Kazhipurtath (using BlueBulb) to kick-start your day. All the stretching and deep breathing will have you energized for another day in this dynamic suburb. Contd...

Day 2: Saturday

Morning: Cool off with for some fresh nariyal pani at Carter Road(pictured) or fresh juice from the vans that dot the promenade. If exercise is not on your mind, head to Candies near Pali Naka for a breakfast full of wholesome carbs!

Day 2: Saturday

Evening: If you’re an art and design junkie, check out TheBombay Arts Society at Reclamation. Even if there’s no exhibition, the building itself is a work of art. The building’s neighbour, Rang Sharda is a great spot to catch plays. You can also choose from performances at The Hive and Bandra Base for live music, poetry and stand-up comedy acts. Contd...

Day 2: Saturday

Evening: If art’s not your scene, hop into a rickshaw and ask your driver to take you for a Bollywood ride to check out the fancy apartments and bungalows of popular stars in the area and the walls taken over by the Bollywood Art Project (pictured). Once you’ve checked that off your list, mosey over to Carter Road just before sunset. The sight of the evening sun melting into the Arabian Sea will do wonders for your eyes and soul. Soak in the evening with its sound of waves, walkers and many vendors — all so common yet intrinsic to the fabric of this city that’s home to people from all over the world. Contd...

Day 2: Saturday

Evening: There are a number of eating joints on Carter Road that are a favourite amongst the young transplants who have made Bandra their home. Quality Frankie is famed for their iconic snacks, but if you want to take a break from the streets then head to La Folie Lab(pictured) or BAD Café for some coffee and dessert. For the fitness freaks, there’s Suzette or Bombay Salad Company, all nearby.

Day 2: Saturday

Night: Skip dinner and go pub hopping. Just make sure you’re not driving! You have more than twenty really amazing pubs to choose from—Irish House, Khar Social, Radio Bar, Doollaly, One Street Over (pictured) to name a few. Stop at the one that appeals to you or make a note and return on your next trip because we know that you will be back!